We now know more details of the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster and more from Around the NBA.
Finally, some real news.
The NBA is back, with teams holding Media Day over the past week or so before kicking off training camp this week. And with teams getting back on the court, we have some fresh slop on our plates as well.
It appears the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves are close to completing their blockbuster deal which sends Karl-Anthony Towns to New York and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported what the third team, which is indeed the Charlotte Hornets, will receive in this trade.
Charlotte is also trading James Nnaji – the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA draft – to New York to finalize the trade, sources tell me, @JonKrawczynski and @FredKatz. https://t.co/7RFRIl7apN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 2, 2024
Not only did the Knicks sign former Sixer Charlie Brown Jr. to complete this deal, but they also waived a former Sixer, Marcus Morris Sr., to get it done.
While this trade has been in limbo for a few days now, all three teams were under some pressure to get it done quickly. This trade could not be completed without sign-and-trades, something teams can’t do once the season starts. Surely the two contenders in this trade would like to get their new big pieces in with as much practice time before the season as possible.
As the Association celebrates the return of action, there is one giant loss to mourn.
Former Sixers center Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. The amount of tributes honoring his legacy not only for his on-court play, but for his contributions to society from teammates, coaches, executives, and even guys who never got the chance to play with him, has been overwhelming.
ESPN’s Malika Andrews was able to sit down with Joel Embiid, who talked about what Mutombo meant to him personally, as well as the impact Mutombo had as an African.
Joel Embiid remembers Dikembe Mutombo, who he calls a “role model”, telling ESPN: “It is a sad day for Africa — and really for the whole world — because he really did care about people and making people’s lives better.” pic.twitter.com/omt4S7DE7I
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 30, 2024
On a lighter, more Sixers-y note, Vegan Jah is back in the league! Charania reported last week that Jahlil Okafor has been signed to a training camp deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Former No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor has agreed to a training camp deal with the Indiana Pacers, agent Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports Management told @TheAthletic. Okafor, first team All-Rookie with 76ers, last played in NBA in 2021 and is working toward comeback with the East finalist. pic.twitter.com/NYyUuV5ZaB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2024
Okafor’s time here obviously did not go very well, but it’s nice to see him still able to get a chance somewhere. Okafor’s last NBA appearance was in 2021 for the Pistons. He played 27 games for Detroit, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game.